Free radicals

Free radicals are responsible for the changes and shortening of the DNA in our cells, which in turn causes the visible changes of ageing. Free radicals are compounds created when a molecule in our body gains or loses an electron, rendering it unsuable. Apart from damaging the DNA, excess free radicals can harm protein structure and cell membrane. This results in diseases such as arthritis, respiratory diseases, hypertension, cancer, diabetes, parkinson’s disease and obesity. Production of free radicals increases with infection, inflammation and during exercise. It increases exponentially with exposure to environmental pollutants, cigarette smoke, radiation and solvents.